I don't deserve to get presents...UPDATE Post #65

[kimmar067]

...this year, we 'solved' the "nice vs. practical" gift exchange between my DH and myself. We decided (or rather, HE really decided for the both of us!) that he wasn't going to get me anything this year for Christmas and I should DEFINITELY NOT buy a single thing for him! I wasn't sure I was up for this but, it actually took a little of the shopping pressure off me as far as getting him the perfect gift [which he ALWAYS manages to guess before the gift is unwrapped, thus putting a damper on the occasion], but it lets him off the hook too.

































.....there IS a 'happy ending' to this: the reason for the 'non-gifting' was that we are a bit strapped for cash this year, as he is in the middle of a real estate project and we are, literally, counting every penny. He's promised that, once the property sells (hopefully, immediately after renovations are completed) that we can go on a LONG OVERDUE vaca!! MY vote is for WDW.....

 

[beckmrk04]

Another non-flamer here. My mom and grandma are the worst about buying gifts that they think I should like, because they like them.

I am pretty picky about things, admittedly- especially clothes, purses, jewelry. But, I always have a huge (and specific) list of things I like (in all sorts of price ranges), and they refuse to purchase anything from it. OR- my mom, who operates on a "QUANTITY, not *quality* basis," will get me 10 things similar to what I asked for, but they are the cheap versions, so she is able to watch me open 10 gifts I don't like, instead of the one gift I would have truly loved.

I *do* think it is the thought that counts, but only when someone is thinking about you, as an individual, and not thinking about what they would like to receive and then buying it for you.

My husband was spot-on this year: "he" got me make-up from Sephora (which I ordered with my Sephora account- need those Beauty Insider points, you know!), and then he surprised me with a Le Creuset stock pot in red, and a matching spoonula! I love to cook, and I love kitchen gadgets- I was a happy camper!

 

[beckmrk04]

And I should add: I NEVER, EVER get offended when someone doesn't like a present I got them! I always tell people "Here's the gift receipt! Please, please exchange it for something you'll love or use if you don't love or need this item" Because I want my money to at least be well spent!

 

[MinnieMe87]

Don't feel bad. I am right there with you.

I'll take your Coach bag, and you can have the Magic Bullet that MIL got us... that we will probably never, ever, ever use.

Want to trade???

I was going to say, I'll take the Coach bag and go buy you a lovely food processor in return! I love Coach bags!!! Metallic leather has really got to be your style, so I can understand you not liking the bag OP. I'm sorry you go through this, it took my Dad YEARS to learn to get my Mom things she could use. I finally got him whipped into shape, and help him out every year.

 

[MommyBoo!]

You won't get any flames from me either! I don't understand why people ask for a list if they aren't going to get anything on it. I have a close friend who loves Christmas. She loves seeing people open the gifts she has purchased, especially my two kids. The kids are older now though and are difficult to buy for. They really like gift cards. Every year she asks, every year I tell her gift cards. I know she is on a fixed income so I don't want her to spend money on things we will never use. It is very difficult, if not impossible to buy clothes and jewelry for other people IMHO. Your taste is not the same as a 16 or 20 year old (or mine for that matter).

I told her the same thing this year. I said the kids would really love ITunes songs, or a Walmart gift card to buy magazines, etc. Instead she bought them 3 or 4 gifts each that they will probably not use. For me she bought 2 paperback books that I have already read, and a turtleneck and sweater that I will never wear (I don't like turtlenecks and have said so many times). I understand that she enjoys seeing people open the gifts she bought, and love her for thinking of us, but she could still wrap up the gift card if opening the presents is the big deal right? She said she wouldn't be hurt if we wanted to exchange things, so after she said that I mentioned that I had actually read the two books already and would like to exchange them for 2 I hadn't read yet. She said she couldn't remember where she bought them. I told her that was fine, that I liked to re-read good books anyway.

She asked for flannel pajamas and flannel sheets. Guess what I got her? Right! Flannel pajamas and flannel sheets.

Oh well, what are you going to do?

Gift cards can be fun to wrap too. We gave DS a 3 pack of itunes gift cards. I wanted to do something different as far as wrapping them. I carefully opened the bottom of a sealed cereal box. I slipped the cards inside the box and glued the bottom back together.

DS unwrapped his gift and said "Wow! A box of cereal!" And held it up for the camera with a big smile - he is SUCH a ham! I said "You know Nate, sometimes a box of cereal has a prize in it." He opened the box and found the cards. The kids thought it was great and he got to tell everyone how he got a box of cereal for Christmas.

 

[Cantw8]

you are right, you don't deserve any presents

 

[skuttle]

LOL! My DS refuses to get me certain things as well even though I ask for them. He refuses to buy me gift cards. Even though I wanted gift cards for certain things...gift card for fabric to recover my dining room chairs, or gift card to the craft store so I can frame DS's art. Even though these are not generic gift cards, he will NOT buy me gift cards. He did one year...bought me a WDW gift card so I could buy scrapbook things. After 15 years, I think that's the only gift card he has ever bought me.

I also asked for trash cans for my bathrooms. Our puppies continually dig in the trash cans in the bathrooms. I wanted nice, stainless trash cans with lids that you have step on the bottom to open them. He said he cannot buy his wife trash cans for Christmas even though I really wanted them.

 

[disneymom3]

No flames from me. I understand completely! Every year I'm asked by family to make a list and every year, they choose not to get anything from it. !

I have gotten to the point where this cracks me up. DH and I have been married for 17 years. I get gifts from his family that are SO not me. And that is after I have major pressure to make a list. So, I slave over coming up wtih a list...I really have a hard time thinking of anything I want. I'm just a practical person and I am quite happy with what I have. The last three years BOTH of my SILs have gotten me huge bags for Christmas. LIke supposed to be a purse but really big. The purse I currently carry is about 6x8 and for me, that is a big purse. Last year, we got in the car and I looked at DH and said, "Have they MET me??" They also all insist on getting birthday gifts. I really would rather they save their money than get me things I don't want and wont' use. I accept them graciously of course but it really makes me wonder.

One of the years of the big purses, there were gift receipts included and my niece went shopping with me. She lives across the country from me. When I took the bag out of the shopping bag I had, she said "Someone gave that to you? Was it a stranger?"

 

[beautybelle]

Im not flaming you at all but next year you might get the same thing I got this year......NOTHING.

 

[hedgehog2owl]

I have no clue what to do with this bag.

Ebay? Regift? School basket raffle?

Your MIL and DH both sound very sweet

(yes I got nothing for Christmas from my DH)

 

[N&B'smom]

What is wrong with a check? A gift card is the same thing but you are restricted to the stores you can use the money at.

Nothing, but as someone else said she put her flame suit on and it was going to waste! I had to pick something....that was as close to flaming as I could get.

 

[luvwinnie]

I'm with you on the jewelry! DH kept buying me beautiful pieces that I just never wear or maybe on special occasions. I don't have enough time in the morning to stop and think it! I am usually running out. I'm also paranoid about being mugged or something in the City if I'm wearing a diamond bracelet. I want a new vacuum for our anniv! lol

 

[Kitzka]

DH always gets me lovely gifts i can't complain about him. Esp when you consider the gift giving person he was raised with.

this year my MIL got me a sponge. a sea sponge for the bath like this one: http://www.purespadirect.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=VU-200784&click=10549.

DH got a farside desk calendar. he liked farside when he was in HS about 17 years ago. he hasn't liked farside in about 15 years yet she still gets him one. This year i purchased her gifts for DD. Last year she got DD a fish tape dispenser. and a roll of tape.

i would love mil to get me something i remotely liked.

Lara

 

[Binnie]

No flames from me... DH has a penchant for buying stuff that sits on a shelf and collects dust (porcelain and crystal flowers, stuffed toys, etc. One year, it was a small decorative battleship with a clock on it.). I hate things that sit on a shelf.

Then there was the year he decided I needed a hobby, so he chose several for me and purchased the accoutrements accordingly (telescope, puzzle books, etc.).

Then he was underway up until right before Christmas, and I had to shop for my own gifts, which was fun. The next year I asked if I could do it again, and he got angry with me, so I gave him a list. He didn't like working from the list, so this year he FINALLY agreed to let me shop for myself again, so I had a good Christmas!

Of course, he did feel guilty about it, so he went out on Christmas Eve and bought be a Slap Chop and Snuggie, because he thought they were cool.

And that's why I do my own shopping...

 

[Minnie]

No flames from me

I have someone that tries very hard but really I wish they would just donate in my name or give a gift card or something that is closer to what I would possibly like.... I just always say "thank you" and if possible return for something more my taste or if not "store" until it's forgotten

I am very lucky that my finance and mom are both wonderful gift givers. This year both went above and beyond for my gifts. I feel very fortunate

 

[BelleWDW]

Quote:
Originally Posted by JerseyJanice

I have no clue what to do with this bag.

Ebay? Regift? School basket raffle?



I think a school raffel is a GREAT idea!

 

[wdwtweets]

Maybe next year you should just forego the gift giving... I mean, if what you want is a food processor, just go buy it. The money is both of yours anyway. That way you won't have to worry about hurting his feelings and vice versa. I guess I just figure if I wanted something that specific from your spouse, it's not really a gift. It's just someone else taking the time to go to the store to buy it.

Didn't explain that well. I'm not flaming... I wouldn't tell someone else how they should feel. But for me the whole fun of getting gifts is not knowing what you're getting.

I have to say that I agree with the above post. It doesn't bother me, though, if people look at gift-giving differently than me.

 

[kimmar067]

Quote:
Originally Posted by JerseyJanice

I have no clue what to do with this bag.

Ebay? Regift? School basket raffle?



I think a school raffel is a GREAT idea!

...I say fill 'er up with baby bottles, pacifiers, baby lotion, a couple o' bibs, baby wipes, a few diapers, a blankie, and, *WHAM*, *BAM*, you got yerself an INSTANT BABY SHOWER GIFT!

 

[Nancyg56]

Nothing, but as someone else said she put her flame suit on and it was going to waste! I had to pick something....that was as close to flaming as I could get.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

No flames from me either. My mom and grandmother used to buy me clothes all the time, and while I appreciated the thought, I would much rather pick out my own clothes.